Once we survive the Christmas feast, there’s one more meal to complete the holiday. If your family enjoys one another, they’ll probably be hanging around for your post-Christmas supper.

You’ve already got everything you need leftover from the main meal, but that’s too easy. A simple reprise of that groaner would not be appreciated. The trick is to turn the bounteous leftovers into something new and interesting.

Your easiest solution is the panini sandwich. These grilled wonders always score high and will turn that ham or turkey (or both) into a memorable meal, especially with a simple soup, such as turkey or ham and rice.

If Santa brought you a panini cooker, you’re in luck. The cookers grill professional-looking paninis complete with brown marks. But all you really need is a large frying pan and some olive oil.

An excellent panini will offer ingredients fused with melted cheese. It’s far from the usual sandwich with separate layers of flavor. The panini is a concentrated blast of flavors working together. That’s what separates it from grilled cheese.

The texture of the bread is another key. You do not want toast; you’re seeking lightly fried bread in olive oil, a must. The ideal is half-inch-thick Italian bread.